The ovaries are a pair of almond-shaped glands located on each side of the uterus in the female pelvis. They serve two main functions: producing and releasing eggs (ova) for reproduction and secreting sex hormones.
Hormone Production:
The ovaries are the primary source of estrogen and progesterone in premenopausal women. Different structures within the ovaries produce hormones at different times: developing follicles produce estrogen, the corpus luteum (after ovulation) produces progesterone and estrogen, and ovarian tissue produces small amounts of testosterone and other androgens.
The Menstrual Cycle:
Each month during reproductive years, the ovaries go through a cycle. In the follicular phase, several follicles develop and produce estrogen. Around mid-cycle, usually one follicle releases a mature egg (ovulation). After ovulation, the remaining follicle becomes the corpus luteum, which produces progesterone. If pregnancy doesn’t occur, the corpus luteum breaks down, hormone levels drop, and menstruation begins.
Changes Over Time:
Women are born with all the eggs they’ll ever have. The number and quality decline with age, especially after age 35. During perimenopause, the ovaries gradually produce less estrogen and progesterone. After menopause, the ovaries produce very little estrogen and no progesterone, though they continue to produce small amounts of testosterone.
